Alaska Proudly Honors Purple Heart Recipients

In 1783 during the American Revolution, General George Washington first awarded a decoration of embroidered purple fabric in the shape of a heart called the Badge of Military Merit to recognize exceptionally meritorious action. This honor is considered the first official military combat badge of the United State Armed Forces and the first decoration for valor presented to enlisted personnel. In 1931, General Douglas MacArthur set out to establish a combat decoration to succeed the Badge of Military Merit, and in 1932 the United States War Department authorized the new Purple Heart medal for soldiers who had previously received either a Wound Chevron or the Army Wound Ribbon. At that time, the Purple Heart was also determined to be the official successor decoration to the Badge of Military Merit, and it was announced on Washington's birthday, February 22, 1932. Today it is awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces who have been wounded or killed as a result of enemy action in combat. The medal consists of a gold border surrounding a purple enamel heart with a bust of George Washington in the center, with the Washington coat-of-arms at the top and sprays of green leaves at each side. On May 3, 2008, Governor Sarah Palin signed a law designating the Alaska Highway and Richardson Highway between the border with Canada and Fairbanks as the Purple Heart Trail, and on August 12, 2022, Governor Mike Dunleavy signed a law extending the designation from Fairbanks to Homer and along the Alaska Marine Highway System. Alaska's Purple Heart Trail is one of many such designated routes in the United States, encouraged by the Military Order of the Purple Heart to honor the sacrifice of Purple Heart recipients for the nation.

Tok, Alaska · United States